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Tagliatelle Bolognese

Tagliatelle Bolognese, a staple of Italian cuisine, has its roots deeply entrenched in the rich culinary history of Italy; the origins of this beloved dish are often associated with the city of Bologna, renowned for its exquisite and hearty cooking. Tagliatelle, the pasta used in this dish, is a traditional type of egg pasta known for its long, flat ribbons, ideally suited to hold onto the rich and meaty Bolognese sauce - in our house, Tagliatelle Bolognese is the ultimate comfort food.

A beautiful bowl of tagliatelle bolognese.

Why Tagliatelle?

Tagliatelle, with its long, flat ribbons, is wider than spaghetti and has more surface area which allows this beautiful pasta to hold and absorb hearty, thicker sauces more effectively. The texture and thickness of tagliatelle provide a better balance with the rich and meaty Bolognese sauce - the pasta is a vehicle for the sauce and tagliatelle ensures an even coating of bolognese with every bite.

Even though there are many adaptations of spaghetti bolognese, spaghetti, with its thinner and round shape, is better suited for lighter, oil- or tomato-based sauces because its shape allows it to intertwine with these more fluid sauces, ensuring a good distribution of flavor. The choice of pasta can really impact the overall experience of a dish, in fact, in Italian cuisine, the pairing of pasta shapes with specific sauces is an art form, reflecting a deep understanding of texture and flavor interactions.

The Base of Bolognese: Tomatoes

For preparing Tagliatelle Bolognese, the choice of tomatoes can greatly influence the flavor and quality of the sauce, and ideally, you want to use high-quality, flavorful tomatoes since they form the base of the Bolognese sauce. In this recipe, we opt for high-quality canned crushed tomatoes as they have a natural sweetness that enhances the dish’s flavor without needing to add extra sugar. However, if you’re looking for an alternative to canned crushed tomatoes, here are some options:

  • San Marzano Tomatoes: These are a variety of plum tomatoes, known for their sweet flavor, firm pulp, low seed count, and low acidity, and they are considered by many chefs to be the best tomatoes for making sauces.

  • Roma or Plum Tomatoes: If you’re opting for fresh tomatoes, Roma or plum tomatoes are a good choice as they have a meaty texture with fewer seeds and are less watery, making them ideal for a thicker sauce.

  • Cherry Tomatoes: While not traditional, cherry tomatoes can also be used for a sweeter and slightly tangy sauce, and they can add a different flavor profile to your Bolognese.

Regardless of the type of tomatoes used, it’s important to cook them down properly to develop a rich, deep flavor that characterizes a classic Bolognese sauce - the slow cooking process allows the tomatoes to break down and meld their flavors with the other ingredients.

Beef: The Heart of the Dish

The meat used in the traditional Bolognese sauce, and what we opt for in this recipe, is ground beef, preferably with a fat content of around 20% which might sound high, but remember – fat equals flavor! If you’re looking to use some other kind of meat, here are some possible options:

  • Beef Chuck: For a more textured and flavorful sauce, you can use beef chuck, however, it needs to be ground or finely chopped.
  • Mix of Meats: Sometimes, a mix of ground beef, pork, and veal is used for added depth of flavor.

A beautiful bowl of tagliatelle bolognese garnished with grated cheese and rosemary.

Can I store Tagliatelle Bolognese in the fridge?

Freshness is paramount in Italian cuisine, and while Bolognese sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, always pair it with freshly cooked tagliatelle.

Can I use a meat substitute in Bolognese for a vegetarian version?

Absolutely! Lentils, a textured vegetable protein, or finely chopped mushrooms are great meat substitutes that still give the sauce a rich, hearty texture and flavor.

How long should I simmer the Bolognese sauce?

For the best flavor, simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes. However, if you have time, letting it simmer for 1-2 hours will deepen the flavors even more.

What are the best wines to pair with Tagliatelle Bolognese?

A medium-bodied red wine like Chianti, Merlot, or a Sangiovese pairs beautifully with the rich flavors of Bolognese - these wines complement the meaty sauce without overpowering it.

Can Tagliatelle Bolognese be frozen for later use?

Yes, you can freeze the Bolognese sauce for up to 3 months. It's best to freeze the sauce separately from the pasta. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving with freshly cooked pasta.

Tagliatelle Bolognese

Tagliatelle bolognese is probably the perfect comfort food - the thick sauce is packed with deep and rich flavor, and coats the tagliatelle beautifully. It’s a great mid-week recipe since it’s so quick to make, but it’s also great for a weekend indulgence!

Cuisine
Italian

Serves
4

Prep
15 mins

Cook
30 mins

Total
45 mins

Calories
740 kcal

A bowl of freshly cooked tagliatelle pasta, topped with a rich and hearty bolognese sauce. The sauce is sprinkled with herbs and grated cheese, and a garnish of fresh parsley sits in the center, adding a pop of color.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 tablespoon olive oil

  • 2 cloves garlic

  • 1 finely chopped white onion

  • 1 lb beef mince (ground beef)

  • ½ cup red wine

  • 2 beef bouillon cubes

  • 28 oz can crushed tomato

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce

  • 2 dried bay leaves

  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme

  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

  • 1 teaspoon pepper (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 & ½ tablespoons oil in a pot or a Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Once the pot has heated up, add the chopped onion and minced garlic for roughly 3 minutes until the garlic is a light golden brown and the onion has softened.

  2. Turn up the heat to a high temperature and add the 1lb of beef. Cook the beef until browned.

  3. Once the beef is browned, add ½ cup of red wine. Bring the pot to simmer and cook the mixture for 1 minute while mixing continuously. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot while mixing and do so until the alcohol smell is gone.

  4. Add all the remaining ingredients except the salt and pepper (we will add this at the end). Stir everything until the mixture is combined and bring the pot to a simmer. Turn down the pot to medium heat so that the mixture will bubble gently. Simmer for at least 20-30 minutes with the lid off, and add water if the water gets too thick for your liking.

  5. Add the salt and pepper once the bolognese is cooked and thickened to your liking.

Notes

  • Slow cooking: You can leave the bolognese to cook on a slow simmer. To do this, add ¾ cup of water and cover the pot with a lid. Simmer the sauce on very low heat for 2 - 2 & ½ hours. Make sure to stir the sauce every 20 - 30 minutes. Once the sauce has cooked for roughly 2 hours, uncover the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. This will thicken the sauce.

  • Tossing tagliatelle: When adding the sauce to the cooked tagliatelle, leave some pasta water aside (~¼ / ½ cup of pasta water). When mixing the bolognese with the tagliatelle, do so in a pot over medium heat and then add the pasta water to your tagliatelle bolognese. Mix for roughly 1 minute until everything is combined and the tagliatelle is completely covered in sauce. When serving, sprinkle parmesan and chopped parsley over the tagliatelle bolognese if desired.

Nutrition

  1. Calories 740 kcal | 
  2. Carbohydrate Content 86 g | 
  3. Cholesterol Content 68 mg | 
  4. Fat Content 26 g | 
  5. Fiber Content 6.5 g | 
  6. Protein Content 39 g | 
  7. Serving Size 1 portion | 
  8. Sodium Content 2.4 g | 
  9. Sugar Content 9 g |